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Fordsnack
Full Member
Registered: 01/23/13
Posts: 34
Loc: United Kingdom

Im taking my grade 8 in march after not playing classical music for a fair while. I had done my grade 5 in 2005 and then I went to university to study guitar and contemporary music. Then a couple of years ago I landed myself a job teaching piano in schools and I thought it was about time I got my grade 8. I am a little bit worried about the exam. I have never scraped more than a pass due to crippling nerves but I am feeling a little more confident this time round. I have never been as prepared as I am this time, but we shall see. Anyway, I thought I would post a video of one of my pieces Ive just recorded. What do you think, do I have a chance?!

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Just started working on:Clair de luneNocturne in c minor - Chopinyoutube.com/elysiumproject

May I suggest reading the Inner Game of Music by Barry Green and W. Timothy Gallwey...it has some sound tips in there on how to maintain "relaxed concentration" in pressure situations.

If interested, it also contains a bit on why we as musicians struggle with nerves in the first place, and how the body is reacting - it makes it much easier to understand potential solutions when we fully understand the problem in the first place.

If not available in a bookstore in the UK (not sure, I'm in Canada) you can pick it up on Amazon.

Hope this helps.

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May I suggest reading the Inner Game of Music by Barry Green and W. Timothy Gallwey...it has some sound tips in there on how to maintain "relaxed concentration" in pressure situations.

If interested, it also contains a bit on why we as musicians struggle with nerves in the first place, and how the body is reacting - it makes it much easier to understand potential solutions when we fully understand the problem in the first place.

If not available in a bookstore in the UK (not sure, I'm in Canada) you can pick it up on Amazon.

Hope this helps.

I've had this on my shelf for a few years (not sure how I got it), and thanks to your recommendation am probably going to start reading it pretty soon, pretty much for the same reasons as the OP.

Fordsnack, am I right in thinking you're going with Trinity Guildhall? My assumption is based on the fact that Fig Leaf Rag is on the list for their Grade 8 this year (I'm looking at them too).

#2038393 - 02/24/1310:54 AMRe: First exam in 7 or 8 years
[Re: The Hound]

Fordsnack
Full Member
Registered: 01/23/13
Posts: 34
Loc: United Kingdom

Yes im going with Trinity. Firstly because I lost my grade 5 theory certificate when my parents moved house (although I have since retaken it) and secondly because there are a lot less scales than ABRSM however more variations such as staccato and crescendo diminuendo... Third reason was the pieces get changed less frequently, and I wasn't sure how long it would take me to learn the grade 8 stuff. Theres quite a nice selection to choose from. The three I am doing you can see on my youtube channel in my signature.

Hmmm, something frustrating has happened. With 2 and a half weeks to go till my exam, I have started getting wrist pain! So needless to say I have been taking it easy and not playing the piano the last couple of days. Will make an app with the doc on monday... Anyway so far Im doing a good job of not panicking just yet...

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Just started working on:Clair de luneNocturne in c minor - Chopinyoutube.com/elysiumproject